Praying for the world · Sharing the hope of the Cross and the power of the Resurrection Prayer request Give
Also called
Ananias, Sapphira
Role
Married couple who lied to the Holy Spirit
When
c. AD 33-35

What they did

They sold a possession and kept back part of the price while pretending to give all; Peter said they had lied not to men but to God, and each fell down dead, and great fear came upon all the church.

Why it matters: the purpose of their role

Their story teaches the holiness of God and the seriousness of hypocrisy in the life of the church.

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts 5:4 (KJV)

Bible references

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1-2 (KJV)
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. Acts 5:3-5 (KJV)
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. Acts 5:7-10 (KJV)
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts 5:11 (KJV)

Family

Spouse(s)
Husband and wife